Before heading out of town I had a Sophie Milman sighting at JAZZ.FM91 where she sang along with Ian Thomas, Marc Jordan and other greats to celebrate a new CD by The Breithaupt Brothers. It’s a fantastic album of original material. Heather Bambrick is on her way down to sing with them for the launch in New York next week!

Last week I beelined to the racetrack to spend a few hours before picking up Gigi from the airport.

I bet on this nag because I am a fan of Duke Ellington’s trumpeter Cat Anderson. Got me forty bucks!

I called these three in a row – this does not always happen!

I always enjoy Woodbine Racetrack…

but I am rarely as lucky as this day: I walked out with almost two hundred after paying for lunch and drinks for two. It’s not big money but I started with ten bucks!

After the horse races Captain Paul and I took the RV to the airport to pick up Genevieve Marentette.

Gigi is the epitome of a BFF. I seem to write way more songs when she’s in my immediate vicinity and I am sure she’ll be singing around town for the next few months. RESERVATIONS FOR THIS SATURDAY NIGHT 8pm! Genevieve, G or Gigi…she’s an amazing singer, check her out – you can thank me later!

While in San Francisco I took BART to Berkeley and hung out with Paul Myers. We’ve worked together back in the day and it was great fun to reminisce and catch up. His new band is called THE PAUL & JOHN and it’s great pop music!

Sheldon gets “Best Dressed Donor” award!

The JAZZ.FM International Jazz Safari to Monterey was such a blast! I had a group of 34 in total…and as always the JAZZ.FM donors had a great time. It’s always an amazing hang with these people. They are not just listeners…and not contest winners. People who donate to my favourite not-for-profit radio station are culture heroes in my mind – and we always have a lot of laughs see the very best live bands!

Guiding a wine tasting tour of Napa Valley…I love my job!

A view from my hotel suite…sweet!

I didn’t leave my heart in San Francisco…it’s already divided in three: Toronto, New Olreans and Jaco Beach (Costa Rica) … but I do love the place!

Mark Russo was featured with Tommy Igoe’s Groove Conspiracy at Yoshis. Wow!

Also, while in San Francisco, I saw “Old Hats” … a very clever and enjoyable show with some old corn and some truly original schtick. I can’t do it justice by describing it – if you get a chance to see David Shiner and Bill Irwin in ANYTHING…do it!

Old Hats – see it if you can – I’m sure Mirvish will bring it here to Toronto sometime soon!

The Monterey Jazz Festival was as amazing as ever. Billy Childs, Harold Lloyd and Lisa Fischer were favourites. Booker T, Jon Batiste, Christian McBride and Tony Monaco all put on incredible shows and I got to see a full set from Harlod Lopez Nussa Trio.

Lopez Nussa Trio!

They stayed at my place when they played Toronto recently and were surprised to see me walk over to the stage. Harold dedicated a ballad to his mom that died when he was seven, and in the middle of it, a beautiful bird flew around him several times and flew off…singing all the while. I hadn’t seen this type of bird; it may have a been a “rusty blackbird” or “western scrub jay” but I’ve never heard that particular chirp. Beautiful!

Was (Was Not Was) No Way? Way! I mean Was!

I bumped into Don Was a few times – he’s such a down to earth genius…I told him that I was in touch with Fred Schneider often (he produced Love Shack) and he was pleased to hear it and said the B52’s were a ton of fun to work with. No surprise there!

While in Monterey many people go to the Aquarium…but we opted for a different deep sea adventure…mini golf!

Fore!?!

I discovered a perfect cure for a hangover: after brunch with Mimosa…glow in the dark mini putt!

Who knew 18 holes could be so challenging?

Aside from jazz, golf (well, putt putt) and great meals I also spent several hours in a ginormous antique store filled with bizarre treasures.

a bevy of silly souvenirs

I refused to buy anything big as last time I hit San Francisco I had to buy a suitcase for all my purchases…but my jam-packed (read over-weight) suitcase cost an extra hundred to get home. This just in: vintage postcards are really heavy!?

This photo at a film fest bash was tweeted out and won Jessica a free iPad!

When Norman Jewison is one of the first to say hi you know you are at a TIFF CFC BBQ PARTY!

Oh yeah…and I hit The Brantford Jazz Festival, went sailing, hit some Toronto International Film Festival parties and saw an amazing show by

Out-sauved by Jeff and Larry…again!

Cirque du Solei….their best in years (or ever) called KURIOS. KURIOS is still on for almost a month (in a giant circus tent in the Portlands) so if you can get tix, checkitout!

What does a KURIOS fan look like?!?

It’s been an amazing couple of weeks… and I look forward to another two weeks of sailing before I truly admit autumn is here!